Original Letter

France.

19th September, 1917.

My Dearest Mary:-

Every little detail is good to-day. We are in a perfectly belle place – at least it has been gorgeous once – the hills are still here still and the grass has grown up and covered a world of desolation. The day is bright and clear and the air is full of things interesting If I didn’t have work to do I should get a stiff neck looking up in the air these days. Our new quarters are most comfortable far and away the best yet and if I must be in this thing I would sooner stay here until the end than any place I have seen yet. We are in a perfectly new hut and we has tables and chairs and the Pioneers made me a real bed – chicken wire – To-night I shall have a real sleep. I am enthusiastic to-day – its less an effort here than it used to be in Rouen in the days before–Before. But the only thought that I wax really excited and enthusiastic about is the thought of being with you, my Own. We had such a beautiful time together this summer. It seemed like Heaven then and now I know that it was really Heaven. Isn’t it queer that a man like I am – just an ordinary everyday sort of guy, should have had the luck I have had. First having the wonderful luck to have your love and then when everything looked blackest and almost hopeless having you come to France and then! And, Dearest, I just know that our luck is in the ascendant. I scarcely believe that anything could be better than our holiday this summer. But even then there was always the thought of parting again to worry us. The next time, I am sure, will be for always because the days of this war are numbered. To-day I feel more confident of that than ever. The papers are full of peace talk and its certain to finish this year. Don’t you hope it may? If my odd little prayer counts any its a cynch. There isn’t the tiniest little bit of fun for me away from you, every thought I have is centred in you. I just want to go right off to you this minute and ‘be taken’. Nothing matters when I am with you – the whole world could go to pieces around me and it wouldn’t worry me. In your arms – well its far better than Paradise. There is going to be a base ball match to-night H.Q. and one of the companies. Maybe I will get a place but it doesn’t matter very much.

Dearest, I adore you to-day absolutely with all my heart and soul–

Your own

Ross

Pioneers

Note

“Pioneers” here likely refers to the pioneer battalions of infantry regiments. These were battalions that were trained in light engineering tasks and sent in ahead of the combat troops to construct rail lines, lay telephone and electrical cable, build camps, and so on. An American website (“Little Louis and Big Bertha”) tells us that the American pioneer infantry regiments:

...were cross-trained in combat engineering and infantry tactics. As one of their officers remarked “they did everything the Infantry was too proud to do, and the Engineers too lazy to do.”

The pioneer regiments included such specialists as mechanics, carpenters, farriers and masons. They were supposed to work under the direction of the Engineers to build roads, bridges, gun emplacements and camps “within the sound of the guns.” They received standard infantry training so that they could defend themselves, but there are very few documented instances of any pioneer troops unslinging their rifles.

British and Canadian pioneer battalions seem to have operated in a similar fashion. In 1917, however, the British, unable to meet the constant demand for labour from amongst the ranks of the fighting men and hoping to make more efficient use of their trained combat troops, replaced the pioneer battalions with a new branch of the service called the Labour Corps.

The Labour Corps enlisted “men who were either ex–front line soldiers who had been wounded or taken ill or men who on enlistment were found to be unfit for front line service because of ill health or because they were too old” (“The Labour Corps 1917–1921”). Though supposedly not directly involved in combat, “...the men of the Labour Corps worked unarmed within the range of German guns” (“The Labour Corps at Work”) and, thus, suffered significant casualties.

Since the Labour Corps had already been established at the time Ross wrote this letter, when he says “Pioneers” he may, in fact, have been speaking of the Labour Corps, using the by-then-outdated term “Pioneer” (which may have remained in common parlance), from the former pioneer infantry battalions.

See photos (below): Canadian Pioneers carrying trench mats with wounded and prisoners in background during the Battle of Passchendaele; source: William Rider-Rider/Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-002084; Canadian Pioneers laying trench mats over mud. Battle of Passchendaele. Nov. 1917; source: William Rider-Rider/Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-002156.

Rouen

Rouen served as a base for the British Army in France. Since the Canadians were under British Command, some of the Canadians' administrative offices were also in Rouen.

Ross was stationed in Rouen from approximately March 1916 to August 1917, at which point he was transferred to the front. It seems that his role in Rouen was an administrative one.

It is unlikely that Mary was with him in Rouen, since enlisted needed to make special requests to be with their wives. We learn in the letter of Nov. 2, 1917, however, that his request to have her stay there was approved — after he was transferred to the front.

The 50th Canadian Battalion will relieve the 87th Canadian Battalion in ALBERTA CAMP to-day the 19th inst. ... ROUTE. ABLAIN ST. NAZAIRE ROAD – CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – CARENCY. ... The Transport Officer will arrange transportation for the Battalion. All Officers Baggage, Canteen Stores etc. will be ready for Transportation by 11.00 A.M.